New Student Orientation

Students will be assigned a specific move-in time on Friday, August 23 for Move-in. Students, check your Acorn Account for your assigned time beginning July 10.

Please adhere to your assigned time. Additionally, to help reduce congestion, please only bring one-two vehicles with you. We encourage you to bring your own dolly or wagon to help assist you in the move. While we offer some move-in assistance it is best to plan to move-in your own belongings – wear closed toed shoes, drink plenty of water, and label all your items with your name, building, and room number.

On arrival to campus, all students and families must report first to our central check-in at the Schar Center. There, students will receive orientation materials and directions to their move-in location for their residence hall.

Please follow the driving directions to the Schar Center and then to your Residential Neighborhood.

We’re developing an orientation program for first-year students which will include numerous small and large group engagement opportunities held in person.

Orientation will begin in the afternoon on Friday, August 23 and go through Monday, August 26. It is required that all new students fully participate in New Student Orientation. 

We’re developing an orientation program for transfer students which will include numerous small and large group engagement opportunities held in person. This year, transfer students will have the choice, opt into the full orientation experience from Friday, August 23 through Monday, August 26 or opt into a one-day program, on Sunday, August 25. Both experiences will offer the opportunity to meet and connect with other transfer students and an Orientation Leader. More information will be released in July. 

It is required that transfer students participate in one of the two orientation options outlined above.

International students arrive on Wednesday, August 21, and begin an International Student Orientation program offered jointly through the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center and New Student Orientation. Because international students may have unique logistical needs, this extra time on campus will help make sure you are confident and ready to begin classes. The Global Education Center will be your primary resource for the days leading up to Orientation.

From Friday–Monday, international students will participate in New Student Orientation along with the rest of the new students. Throughout the experience, you will attend several sessions with your group and your Orientation Leader in which you will learn about how to be academically successful at Elon, how to get involved in student organizations, and how to immerse yourself in the Elon community. Each night during Orientation, Elon will host a social event for new students that will give you the opportunity to meet people from all across campus—not just in your NSO group or Residence Hall. Participating in NSO will lay the foundation for life at Elon!

Our staff understands that a student coming to college is a transition for the whole family! We want to make sure the whole family feels welcomed as part of the Elon community. There are several events specifically for parents during New Student Orientation, including a session with Elon’s senior leaders, meeting with your student’s academic advisor, a coffee social for you to meet other Elon parents, and a Family Sendoff Picnic features our many North Carolina based Elon Dining partners (wristbands required for the picnic, $TBD/person advance purchase, $TBD on-site purchase, pre-orders start in March).

The Office of Parent Engagement is another great resource for you to learn about being a part of the Elon community. We are still making plans for our in-person parent and family program for August 2023. As more details are shared about gathering limitations we will continue to tweak and finalize plans. Check back later this summer for more information!

We’re developing a New Student Orientation experience for all new students that will include small and large group engagement opportunities. Activities will occur post Move-in on Friday, August 23 and go through Monday, August 26. You will participate in a small group of 15-20 students and an Orientation Leader, an upper-class student who has been trained to give you all the information you will need to be successful at Elon. Whether you are new to college, or just new to Elon’s campus, Orientation Leaders will make sure you feel confident and competent as you begin your Elon experience.

You will also have the chance to meet with your academic advisor, the person who will work with you to help plan for coursework and experiential learning until you declare a major. Once you declare a major, you will be assigned a new academic advisor in that disciplinary area.

In addition to making sure you are prepared to begin class and engage in academics at Elon, Orientation will help you learn about campus life and cultural values at Elon. Elon’s values a strong, inclusive community in which students understand the importance of different identities respectfully engage with each other across those differences. A full schedule will be provided at check-in in August.

New Student Convocation is an important Elon tradition in which new students and their families gather Under the Oaks to hear an official welcome to the University from the President, the Provost, and other senior administrators. New students also receive an acorn, a symbol of the ways in which they will grow during their time at Elon. Please arrive early and dress neatly for this special event. Photos from previous Convocation ceremonies can be seen on Elon’s Flickr site as well as social media!

Families and guests may find this map (forthcoming) useful on Saturday morning to locate the Parent & Family College Coffee (starting at 7:30 a.m.) and the Under the Oaks ceremony area in the Historic neighborhood.

Spanish translation services are available from the information table behind the seating area.